2007 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class

The CL-Class has been redesigned for 2007; it’s now slightly larger, offers more comfort, and features new or re-engineered engines. The line-up has been pared down to two models, the CL550 and CL600. The CL550 uses a new 5.5-litre V8, while the CL600 carries a revised version of the 5.5-litre bi-turbo V8 used in 2006.

The CL550 uses a seven-speed automatic transmission, and includes 18-inch five-spoke light alloy wheels, leather upholstery, tilt and sliding sunroof, active bi-Xenon headlamps with cornering lights and washers, power rear window sunshade, Parktronic parking assist system with rearview camera, two-stage rain-sensing wipers, Active Body Control, power folding exterior mirrors, power-assist door closure, power trunk closure, hard drive-based navigation system, heated leather and burl wood steering wheel, six CD/MP3/DVD stereo with PCMCIA memory card slot, phone installation, and tire pressure monitoring system. Optional equipment includes night view assist, Keyless Go, radar-based automatic cruise control, climate comfort front seats and multi-contour dynamic front seats.

The CL600 uses a five-speed automatic transmission, and includes all of the CL550’s features, along with upgraded leather seating, available exclusive poplar wood trim, Alcantara roof liner, climate comfort and multi-contour dynamic front seats, and Keyless Go. Optional equipment includes night view assist and radar-based automatic cruise control.

Both models can also be optioned with an AMG package, which includes AMG body styling, 19-inch AMG five-spoke wheels, and staggered-width performance tires.

While Mercedes has dropped the CL-Class’ most potent AMG models for 2007, the beautifully-styled pillarless coupe continues to impress, filled with high-tech features such as Pro-Safe, with a number of passive and active safety features, and Active Body Roll, which uses microcomputers and high-pressure hydraulics to counter body pitch, roll and squat, while virtually eliminating body movement during acceleration, braking and cornering. Prices are still in the very-exclusive range, but have dropped from the 2006 models.